Method, system and apparatus for assessing wheel condition on a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method of assessing a condition of a wheel on a vehicle involves contactlessly determining distance of a first location on the wheel from a fixed point not on the wheel at a first time while the vehicle is moving and contactlessly determining distance of a second location on the wheel from the fixed point at a second time after the vehicle has moved. The two distances are compared to determine an offset between the first and second locations on the wheel. The offset provides an indication of tire wearing angle of the wheel while the vehicle is moving. The method can be used to assess wheel alignment and wheel suspension. An apparatus and system for effecting the method involves the use of a displacement sensor, especially an optical displacement sensor (e.g. a laser) for making the distance determinations. The system and apparatus is completely contactless and only one stationary displacement sensor is required to make the appropriate distance measurements to the wheel on a moving vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/791,404 filed Mar. 8, 2013, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods, systems and apparatuses forassessing the condition of a wheel on a vehicle, particularly tomethods, systems and apparatuses where off-vehicle equipment is used tomake the assessment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle wheels are the part of a vehicle in contact with a drivingsurface, such as a road, and bear the entire weight of the vehicleduring its operation. As such, it is important to monitor wheelcondition, for example wheel alignment, wheel suspension and tireinflation, to determine whether maintenance needs to be performed toensure optimal performance and safety of the vehicle.

The prior art is replete with systems for performing wheel alignmentassessment. Most of these systems require equipment mounted on thewheels to assist in wheel alignment assessment and require the vehicleto be hoisted on to or otherwise mounted on to rollers or otherapparatuses. A number of non-contact or contactless systems have beendeveloped that employ optical measuring means, for example United Statespatents and Published patent applications: U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,750; U.S.Pat. No. 5,532,816; U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,218; U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,574;U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,451; U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,266; U.S. Pat. No.7,336,350; U.S. Pat. No. 8,107,062; U.S. Pat. No. 7,864,309; U.S. Pat.No. 7,177,740; U.S. Pat. No. 6,657,711; U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,077; U.S.Pat. No. 7,454,841; U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,946; and US 2006/0152711, theentire contents of all of which are herein incorporated by reference.These systems involve laser displacement sensors, laser illumination,cameras or some combination thereof. Most of them require the vehicle tobe stationary while the system operates. Some involve rotation of thewheels. Various parts of the wheel, including the tire sidewalls, can beused as targets for the lasers and/or cameras.

In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,816 discloses a contactless systemfor determining vehicle wheel alignment in which a point on a rotatingwheel is tracked by a laser tracking unit to generate a signal directlyrepresentative of the rotational plane of the wheel. This signal iscompared to a mathematically stored model to determine wheel alignmentconditions. Both the vehicle and laser tracking unit are translationallystationary with respect to each other. The actual laser rotates to beable to follow the point on the rotating wheel.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,816 the vehicle is mounted on rollers to allowthe wheels to turn while the vehicle itself does not move. It would beadvantageous to have a system that could make wheel alignmentassessments while the vehicle itself is moving, for example while it isbeing driven into a garage or test station. Only a very few prior artsystems are configured to permit wheel alignment assessment while thevehicle itself is moving.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,750 discloses a system for determining the dynamicorientation of a vehicle wheel plane. The system involves an orientationdetermining device that is not mounted on the vehicle or vehicle wheels.The orientation determining device remains stationary as a vehicle isdriven by it and the device takes measurements on the wheel as the wheelpasses by. The wheel is preferably outfitted with a reflective testsurface. The orientation determining device comprises three transducersthat emit beams of e/m radiation (e.g. lasers). The beams reflect offthe test surface (or wheel hub) at three non-collinear points and thedistance information from the three points is used to calculate wheelorientation at one specific instance in time. This system uses distanceinformation from three separate laser beams to measure the distance tothree different points on the wheel at a single instance in time.However, because the system is making measurements at only a singleinstance in time, it provides data only on wheel alignment, not on otherwheel conditions such as wheel suspension and/or tire inflation.Further, acquiring data simultaneously on three non-collinear points ona wheel hub is difficult, so a reflective test surface is preferablymounted on the wheel, making the system more laborious and less usefulfor “on the go” wheel alignment assessment.

There remains a need for a simple method and apparatus for assessing thecondition of a wheel on a vehicle while the vehicle is being driven andwithout the need to mount any equipment on the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a method of assessing condition of a wheel on avehicle, comprising: contactlessly determining distance of a firstlocation on the wheel from a fixed point not on the wheel at a firsttime while the vehicle is moving; contactlessly determining distance ofa second location on the wheel from the fixed point at a second timeafter the vehicle has moved; and comparing the distance at the firstlocation to the distance at the second location to determine an offsetbetween the first and second locations on the wheel, the offsetproviding an indication of the dynamic toe of the wheel. The dynamic toe(which may also be referred to as the tire wearing angle) is ameasurement of the difference in the direction of movement of thevehicle and the direction of orientation of the wheel. In other words,the method can determine whether the wheel is straight while the vehicleis moving.

There is further provided a method for assessing play in suspensionelements that hold a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: driving the vehicleso that the wheel passes over a suspension testing surface comprising atleast first and second undulations which slant downwards laterallytowards opposing sides from each other; determining an offset for thewheel at a point on the first undulation and at a point on the secondundulation using the method described above; and determining whetherthere is play in the suspension elements based on a difference in theoffsets between the two points.

There is further provided an apparatus for determining an offset betweentwo locations on a wheel on a vehicle at two different times, theapparatus comprising: a first displacement sensor not on the vehicle andfixed in position during operation of the apparatus for determiningdistance along a fixed path from the apparatus to the wheel on themoving vehicle, and one or more further displacement sensors fixed inposition during operation of the apparatus for confirming that the wheelis passing the first displacement sensor.

There is further provided a system for assessing a condition of a wheelon a vehicle, the system comprising: an apparatus for generating outputsignals indicative of distances to two locations on the wheel at twodifferent times while the vehicle is moving on a surface, the apparatusnot moving during operation; and, a control system configured to receivethe output signals from the apparatus and to output data based on thedistances to the two locations.

There is further provided a method of detecting a wheel on a vehicle,comprising: contactlessly (i.e. without physical contact) determiningdistances from a series of points on the moving vehicle to a fixed pointnot on the moving vehicle over a series of instants in time to generatedistance data at each instant in time; at each instant in time,calculating an average of the distance data for a predetermined numberof instants in time before and after said each instant in time; and,calculating variances of the distances at said each instance in timefrom the calculated averages, wherein a local minimum in the calculatedaverage over consecutive instants in time and a small variance at eachof the consecutive instants in time in comparison to the variance atother instants in time indicates passage of the wheel by the fixedpoint.

In the present invention, the offset between two locations on a wheel ofa moving vehicle is determined. The offset is related to the differencein the distance from the first location to the fixed point in comparisonto the distance from the second location to the fixed point. The offsetis an indication of the tire wearing angle for the wheel, which is theangle between the wheel's orientation and the direction of movement ofthe vehicle 10. A tire wearing angle of zero exists for a wheel that isperfectly parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. Theoffset may be determined by measuring the distance from a fixed pointspaced from the vehicle to a first location on the wheel along a fixedpath at a first instant in time and then measuring the distance from thesame fixed point along the same fixed path to a second location on thewheel at a second instant in time after the vehicle has moved and thewheel has rotated.

To ensure that the two measurements are made at appropriate separateinstants in time so that the two locations are on opposite sides of theaxle and at similar locations on the wheel, it is useful to know thewheel dimensions. In practice, distance measurements can be madecontinuously across the entire width of the wheel and software is usedto track the relative distances over time to develop a histogram orprofile of the wheel. The histogram can be used to visually locatesuitable data points representing locations on the wheel for use in theoffset calculation. For example, the presence of the sidewall of thetire becomes very evident when the data is analyzed graphically with ahistogram. The data may also be analyzed by a processor to determine thepresence of the wheel, the appropriate data points representing thelocations on the wheel from which to take the distance measurements, andhence the distances at the first and second locations.

Yet further, there is one point at a certain height on the wheel (about⅓ of the way up from the driving surface) that will be substantially thesame point measured twice thereby guaranteeing that the first and secondlocations are actually the same points on the wheel. This arises fromthe fact that the wheel is rotating while the vehicle is translating soby matching the rotational distance of the wheel on a concentric circleat a particular radius on the wheel to the translational distance of thevehicle, it is possible to always take the two measurements at the samespot on the wheel. This is one of the advantageous consequences of thetaking the distance measurements at different times from a fixed pointnot on the vehicle while the vehicle is moving. While it is advantageousto measure precisely the same physical point on the wheel when measuringthe forward point on the wheel and when measuring the rearward point onthe wheel so as to eliminate any errors that can arise from a localdeformation on the wheel, it is alternatively possible to achieve someportion of that advantage if the forward point measurement and therearward point measurement are taken at locations on the wheel that arein a selected level of proximity to each other. For example, someadvantage is achieved if the forward point and rearward point are takenat physical locations that are within 5 degrees of each other.Alternatively, they may be within 25 degrees of each other, or within 50degrees of each other, or 75 degrees of each other, or even 90 degreesof each other. This advantage may be at least partially realized bymeasuring points that are between about 25% and about 40% of the heightof the wheel.

By comparing the two distances, a difference in the two distances can bedetermined, i.e. the offset. The difference can be expressed as a linearmeasurement (e.g. in units of length such as millimeters or centimeters)or as an angular measurement (e.g. in degrees) where the angle is anangle formed between a reference line and the actual line formed betweenthe two locations on the wheel as measured at the two different instantsin time. The reference line is the line that is representative of thewheel in a perfectly aligned state. Preferably, the reference line isperpendicular to the fixed path. The offset provides an indication ofwhether or not the wheel is straight while the vehicle is moving. Anoffset of zero means the wheel has a tire wearing angle of zero. Anon-zero value of the offset provides the value for the tire wearingangle. If the distance to the first location is less than to the secondlocation, the wheel has a toe-out orientation. If the distance to thesecond location is less than to the first location, it has a toe-inorientation. The size of the offset that might indicate a wheelcondition problem, e.g. an alignment problem, depends on the type ofvehicle and size of the wheel. Offsets of less than 1 degree generallyindicate that there is no alignment problem.

Distance measurements may be taken by any convenient means. Opticaldisplacement sensors based on emission of any form of electromagnetic(e/m) radiation are preferred. Optical displacement sensors include, forexample, laser displacement sensors. Visible light lasers are preferred.The sampling frequency of the displacement sensor generally does notmatter, but should be high enough to ensure measurement accuracydepending on the speed of the vehicle. When collecting data on fastmoving vehicles, higher sampling frequency is preferred. Samplingfrequencies may be in a range of 100-750 Hz, for example. Laserdisplacement sensors typically function by emitting a beam of light andcapturing the reflection with an optical sensor (e.g. a camera). Thesensor is in a slightly different location in the displacement sensorthan the laser emitter, so triangulation calculations are performed by aprocessor in the displacement sensor to determine the distance to thespot where the reflection occurred. Suitable optical laser displacementsensors include Acuity AR-700 Series, Keyence IL Series (e.g. KeyenceIL-600 and Keyence IL-2000) and Micro Epsilon optoNCDT 1402 displacementsensors.

Especially when the first and second locations are located near thecenterline of the wheel, the fixed path along which the distancemeasurements are taken is at a height where it may intersect with othersparts of the vehicle, for example the chassis or fender. In such a case,the passage of some part of the chassis or fender may be mistakenlytaken as the passage of the wheel leading to errors in the distancemeasurements. To alleviate this problem, additional distancemeasurements may be taken along a second fixed path at a level closer tothe surface on which the vehicle is moving. Since the wheel is always onthe ground, and at the lower level there is less likelihood ofencountering features that might be mistaken as a wheel, when theadditional distances change dramatically it will be known that a wheelis passing by. Thus, the distance measurements collected along thesecond fixed path can be used to confirm the passage of the wheel. Itshould be noted that the data from the second fixed path does not needto be used and is preferably not used to make the wheel conditionassessment, e.g. alignment assessment, itself. These confirmatorydistance measurements are made separately from the measurements at thefirst and second locations and can be made by any convenient means, forexample one or more further optical displacement sensors (e.g. one ormore lasers). To further reduce the risk of falsely identifying thepassage of something other than the intended wheel, it is preferable touse at least three further distance determining means in a row parallelto the surface to confirm the passage of the wheel. This will not onlyhelp determine when a wheel is encountered but will also help determinewhen the wheel has passed. The further distance determining means canalso be used to determine the direction of travel of the vehicle and thenumber of axles on the vehicle as each axle will have a wheel thatpasses by.

Because the present invention employs measurements while the vehicle ismoving, it can also be used to determine whether there is play in wheelsuspension. This ability to assess other wheel conditions besidesalignment is advantageous. Play in wheel suspension can cause a wheel tobe angled in or out depending on whether the vehicle is moving forwardor backward past the fixed point. To determine play in wheel suspension,the vehicle is moved forward and the two distance measurements made.Then the vehicle is moved backward and the same two distancemeasurements are made. When moving backward, the first and secondlocations on the wheel are the same as the second and first locationswhen the vehicle is moving forward. If there is no play in thesuspension, the sign of the offset between forward and backward motionof the vehicle should change. If a change in the sign of the offsetdirection is not seen, then there may be a suspension problem in one orboth wheels being measured. Since, as discussed previously, wheeltracking problems may be caused by suspension play and the offset isalso dependent on wheel tracking, such suspension information can becollected even when the wheels themselves are aligned properly.

For extremely large vehicles such as tractor-trailers, backing up thevehicle to help determine suspension problems is not practical. Further,heavy loads and/or extensive driving may cause the suspension of such alarge vehicle to settle in. For these reasons, the surface on which thevehicle moves may be modified by introducing twists and raised patternsor bumps. This is conveniently accomplished with wavy patterned platesthat can be placed on the surface over which the vehicle can move. Thetwists and raised patterns or bumps release the suspension from itssettled mode and force play in the wheel if there is a suspensionproblem. If there is no suspension play, the wheel remains upright as itpasses over the twists and no offset arises due to suspension play. Ifthere is suspension play, the wheel tilts and offset in the two distancemeasurement arises.

Distance data generated and offset data calculated in the presentinvention may be processed by a control system, for example computers,and the data displayed in any suitable fashion, for example on acomputer monitor, numerically and/or graphically. Means for takingdistance measurements may be in communication with the one or moreprocessors, for example electronically. Electronic communication may bethrough cables or wireless.

As provided in the present description, vehicles are generally motorizedtransportation having one or more wheels driven by a motor. Vehiclesinclude cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, motorcycles, etc. and have afront, back, right side and left side. The front points to a forwarddirection while the back points to a backward or rearward direction.Vehicles may have all of their wheels in a single plane (e.g.motorcycles) or have multiple planes of wheels. Most common vehicleshave two lines of wheels. Where the vehicle has multiple lines ofwheels, the right side is a passenger side of the vehicle in NorthAmerican model vehicles while the left side is a driver side in NorthAmerican model vehicles.

The present invention provides a simple method, apparatus and system forpreliminarily assessing one or more of a number of wheel conditions on avehicle, including not only wheel alignment, but also wheel camber,wheel suspension and tire inflation. The invention can be employed whilethe vehicle is moving into a shop, garage or other testing facilitywithout the need to mount anything on the vehicle or to hoist orotherwise mount the vehicle on a separate apparatus. If the inventionindicates a problem with the condition of the wheel, a more preciseintervention can be made to fix the problem. If not, a more laboriousassessment is thereby avoided. The invention is equally applicable tosmall vehicles (e.g. cars) and large vehicles (e.g. transport trailers).

Further features of the invention will be described or will becomeapparent in the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodimentsthereof will now be described in detail by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a system of thepresent invention comprising two electronically connected apparatusesfor determining offset of wheels on the left and right sides of a movingvehicle;

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle being driven throughthe system shown in FIG. 1, at an angle relative to the system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a front view of apparatus Adepicted in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a back view of apparatus Bdepicted in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a top view of apparatus A depicted inthe system of FIG. 1 showing a beam from a laser displacement sensorilluminating a tire at a first location on the tire sidewall;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of a side view of the tire depicted inFIG. 4A showing the first location on the sidewall of the tire;

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of a top view of apparatus A depicted inthe system of FIG. 1 showing a beam from a laser displacement sensorilluminating a tire at a second location on the tire sidewall after thevehicle has moved forward;

FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of a side view of the tire depicted inFIG. 4C showing the second location on the sidewall of the tire;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic diagrams of wavy bumpy plates toassist in suspension testing of vehicle wheels;

FIG. 6A is a histogram of distance data collected on the front leftwheel of an vehicle as the vehicle was driven forward past apparatus Aas depicted in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6B is a histogram of distance data collected on the front rightwheel of an vehicle as the vehicle was driven forward past apparatus Bas depicted in FIG. 1,

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a vehicle with trauma to the rear left wheel;

FIG. 7B is a plan view illustrating the vehicle of FIG. 7A travelling;and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the apparatuses shown in FIG. 1,with an additional sensor for use in determining camber of a vehiclewheel.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In this specification and in the claims, the use of the article “a”,“an”, or “the” in reference to an item is not intended to exclude thepossibility of including a plurality of the item in some embodiments. Itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art in at least some instances inthis specification and the attached claims that it would be possible toinclude a plurality of the item in at least some embodiments.

It has been found that, while the measurement of static toe (i.e. themeasurement of toe when the vehicle is stationary) can be useful, thereare several problems with it as a tool to determine whether a particularwheel or tire will incur undue wear during use of the vehicle. Ingeneral, when static toe is measured, the corners of a polygon aredetermined, wherein the corners correspond to the centers of each of thefour wheels of the vehicle. The angle of each wheel is then determinedrelative to that rectangle. Depending on the vehicle's suspension andother factors, the orientation of the wheels when the vehicle isstationary are not the same as the orientation of the wheels duringoperation of the vehicle. An example of a static toe measurement isshown in FIG. 7A. The vehicle is shown at 10, and has a body 11 that isrepresented by a rectangle for simplicity. The vehicle 10 has fourwheels shown at 21, and shown more particularly at 21FL (the front leftwheel as viewed from a viewpoint above the vehicle 10), 21FR (the frontright wheel), 21RL (the rear left wheel) and 21RR (the rear rightwheel). As can be seen, there has been trauma to the vehicle's rear leftwheel 21RL, causing it to be out of alignment with the other threewheels. A static toe measurement would find that the front left, frontright and rear right wheels 21FL, 21FR and 21RR all have a toe of zero,and the rear left wheel 21RL has a toe value of some non-zero value.However, as can be seen in the view shown in FIG. 7B, when the vehicle10 is being driven, due to particular dynamics involved, the rear leftwheel 21RL may drive the direction of movement of the vehicle 10 morethan the rear right wheel 21RR. The driver of the vehicle (not shown)may steer the vehicle 10 in an effort to compensate for the frictionalforces that cause the right and left rear wheels 21RR and 21RL to urgethe vehicle 10 in different directions. The resulting direction oftravel of the vehicle 10 may be as shown in FIG. 7B. As can be seen,when the dynamic toe measurements would be taken, the front and rear toevalues would be zero, and each of the rear toe values would be about ½of the static toe value of the rear left wheel 21RL. As can be seen,both the right and left rear wheels 21RR and 21RL have non-zero tirewear angles relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle 10. Sucha measurement would reveal that both the rear right and rear left wheels21RR and 21RL have non-zero tire wearing angles and would thus incurwear.

Another issue relating to measurement of static toe is that, dependingon how soft the vehicle's suspension is, and depending on whether thereare any problems with suspension components, it may be possible tomeasure the static toe of the vehicle 10 and to find that all the wheelshave a suitable toe value, but to find that the wheels 21 move dependingon frictional and other forces that urge the wheels 10 to take ondifferent toe values when the vehicle 10 is moving.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a system 200 that isconfigured to determine the tire wearing angles of a vehicle inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 200comprising two electronically connected optical displacement sensingapparatuses A,B of the present invention for determining an offset inwheels on the left and right sides of a vehicle 10 that is movingforward past the apparatuses A,B in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 2is a schematic diagram showing a front view of apparatus A. FIG. 3 is aschematic diagram showing a back view of apparatus B. Apparatuses A,Bare identical and element numbering in FIGS. 1-3 applies equally toboth.

Each apparatus A,B comprises tower 2 mounted on base 9 having heightadjustable feet 1 at each corner of the base. Visible laser displacementsensor 3 is mounted fixedly in the tower and configured to emit a laserbeam parallel to the surface on which the apparatus rests at a heightthat may be, for example, between about 25% and about 40% of the heightof the vehicle wheel 21 and is preferably at a height of about one thirdof the height of the wheel 21. Displacement sensor 3 is used todetermine distance to the vehicle's wheels 21 during operation of theapparatus. Three further laser displacement sensors 4 are mounted in asingle row in the base and configured to emit laser beams parallel tothe surface on which the apparatus rests at a height below the chassisof a typical vehicle. Further displacement sensors 4 are only used toconfirm that a vehicle wheel 21 is passing the apparatus A,B (as opposedto some part of the vehicle body) and to confirm when the wheel 21 haspassed the apparatus. Sensors 4 need not be laser displacement sensorsand may operate on any other suitable principle. Sensors 4 may bereferred to as wheel detection sensors. The two apparatuses A,B areelectronically connected through a cable 5 and one of the apparatuses,in this case apparatus B, is electronically connected to computer 8through cable 7 from a data port 6. The computer 8 is loaded withsoftware for interpreting signals from all of the laser displacementsensors on both apparatuses to determine distances from the displacementsensors to the surfaces on which the laser beams impact. The softwaredetermines distances from each displacement sensor 3 to the vehicle'swheel 21. Only data from displacement sensors 3 are used in wheelcondition assessment.

The computer 8 includes processor 8 a, a memory 8 b, and an outputdevice 8 c, which may be, for example, a display. The computer 8 is butone example of a control system. The control system may include a singleprocessor and a single memory, or could have multiple processors andmultiple memories. In the event of having a plurality of processors andmemory, the processors and memory may be in a single housing, or may bedistributed between a plurality of housings.

The height of the laser displacement sensor in each apparatus mayoptionally be adjusted by adjusting the height adjustable feet 1, to beat about one-third the diameter of the wheel 21 off the surface on whichthe wheel 21 is traveling. The height adjustable feet 1 may also be usedto level the apparatus A,B on an uneven surface. The two apparatuses A,Bmay be positioned roughly across from each other and so that the beamsfrom the laser displacement sensors 3 are roughly perpendicular to thedirection of motion of the vehicle 10. Each apparatus A,B is anindependent unit that is in no way attached to or mounted on the vehicle10.

FIGS. 4A-4D depict a single apparatus (apparatus A) and illustrate themeasurement of the offset for the front left wheel 21 of the vehicle 10.Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4D, the wheel 21 includes a rim and a tire,shown at 21 a and 21 b respectively. In the event that a hubcap isprovided, the hubcap may be considered part of the rim for the purposesof this description. In operation, the apparatus A is stationary whilethe vehicle 10 moves forward past it in the direction of the arrow. Asthe vehicle 10 passes the apparatus A, the laser displacement sensor 3sends signals back to the computer 8 at a selected frequency (e.g. 200distance measurement signals per second), and the computer 8 calculatesthe distance that beam 25 travels to reach the vehicle 10. The computer8 tracks and displays the distance data. The distance data for anexample vehicle is shown in Tables 1 and 2, and is illustratedgraphically in the form of histograms in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The computer 8 determines the distances to two longitudinally spacedlocations on the wheel 21, and determines the difference between the twodistances, which is referred to as the offset, and which is indicativeof the tire wearing angle of the wheel 21. Preferably, the two locationsare on opposite sides of the centerpoint of the wheel. In other words,preferably, one location is on the leading half of the wheel 21 and onis on the trailing half of the wheel 21. Preferably, the two locationsare on parts of the wheel 21 that have the same lateral distance to thelongitudinal centerline of the wheel, shown at CL in FIGS. 4A and 4B.The locations could be on the tire sidewall (shown at 21 c) or the rimor the hub of the wheel. For ease of detection, the locations may be atpoints of maximum lateral bulge (shown at 30 and 31 respectively inFIGS. 4B and 4D) for the tire 21 b at whatever height the displacementsensor is operating, although other locations on the wheel 21 may beused. For example, the center of the tire sidewall 21 c may also be asuitable location (the maximum lateral bulge on a tire is typically notat the center of the sidewall, but is instead closer to the radiallyouter edge of the tire 21 b).

In the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, as the vehicle wheel 21 passesthe laser displacement sensor 3, beam 25 finds a point of maximum bulge30 at a first instant in time on the leading part of tire 21 b on thetire's sidewall about one-third the way up off the surface. At thispoint, a first distance is established, which is displayed by thecomputer 8. Referring to FIGS. 4C and 4D, as the vehicle 10 continues tomove forward, sometime later at a second instant in time, acorresponding maximum bulge point 31 on the trailing part of tire 21 bon the tire's sidewall passes by the beam 25 about one-third the way upoff the surface. At this point, a second distance is determined, whichis displayed by the computer 8. The computer 8 calculates the differencebetween the first and second distances, which is referred to as theoffset. The offset may be converted to a value for the tire wearingangle for the wheel, expressed as an angle using trigonometricrelationships if the longitudinal distance between the first and secondlocations is known. The longitudinal distance information may beinputted to the computer 8 prior to measuring the vehicle 10 based onthe tire information provided on the sidewalls 21 c of the tire 21. Ifthe computer 8 determines that the value for the tire wearing angle isgreater than a selected value, such as, for example, about 1 degree, thecomputer 8 may indicate to a user that there may be a wheel alignmentproblem (e.g. via output device 8 c). Thus, the control system isconfigured to a) receive output signals from however many of theapparatuses A,B there are and to b) output data based on a differencebetween the distances to the two locations 30 and 31 on the wheel 21that were determined. FIGS. 4A-4D may relate to determining the offsetand value for the tire wearing angle for a first wheel 21 (e.g. theleft, or driver's side, front wheel). Data from the other apparatus atthe other side of the vehicle (e.g. the right, or passenger side, frontwheel) is factored into the determination as to whether the differenceis due to the vehicle 10 not tracking straight (i.e. perpendicularly tothe emitted beams) as the vehicle passed the apparatuses A,B. If asignificant offset is still found to exist, a test for a suspensionproblem may be undertaken by backing the vehicle past the apparatuses asdescribed above.

It will be noted that, if the direction of travel of the vehicle 10shown by arrow 202 in FIGS. 1 and 1 a, is not perpendicular to thedirections of travel of the beams 25 this will affect the offset that isdetermined for the wheels 21. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thevehicle 10 is traveling perpendicular to the beams 25 and so nocompensation needs to be made for the direction of travel of the vehicle10. However, in FIG. 1 a, the vehicle's direction of travel 202 is notperpendicular to the beams 25. As a result, an offset will be measuredeven if the vehicle's wheels 21 are all perfectly aligned with thedirection of travel 202 of the vehicle 10. By having the two apparatusesA,B take their measurements independently, but substantiallysimultaneously (although not necessarily precisely simultaneously), oncorresponding first and second front wheels on both sides of the vehicle10 and first and second rear wheels on both sides of the vehicle 10, thecontrol system 8 can determine the direction of travel of the vehicle.

More specifically, the control system 8 can determine the distance tothe center of each wheel (e.g. by taking the average of the measurementsat the points 30 and 31 on each wheel 21), and can then determine theoffset between the centers of the front and rear wheels 21. For example,using the example shown in FIG. 1 a, the control system 8 may determinethat the distance to the front right wheel center is 1.0 m, the distanceto the front left wheel center is 1.6 m, the distance to the rear rightwheel center is 1.1 m, and the distance to the rear left wheel center is1.5 m. Using this information, along with information regarding thefront and rear tracks of the vehicle and information regarding thewheelbase of the vehicle, the control system 8 can determine thedirection of travel of the vehicle 10 and can then use the determineddirection of travel to compensate for the determined offsets and tirewearing angles for the wheels 21. For example, if the front and reartracks of the vehicle 10 are the same and if the vehicle 10 wastraveling perpendicularly to the beams 25, then there would not be anyoffset in the distances to the front wheels 21 and the rear wheels 21.However, using the example data above, an offset of 0.1 m is apparent.This offset of 0.1 m, when combined with the wheelbase information canbe used to determine the angle of the vehicle relative to the beams 25.For example, if the wheelbase of the vehicle 10 is 2.8 m, then thetangent of the angle of the direction of travel 202 of the vehicle 10 is0.1/2.8 which equals 0.0357, which corresponds to an angle of 2.05degrees relative to a hypothetical reference line that is perpendicularto the beams 25. This 2.05 degrees can then be subtracted (or added, asappropriate) to the tire wearing angle values determined for the wheels21 to arrive at the true tire wearing angles for the wheels 21.

The effect of tracking on the second wheel will be the opposite of thaton the first wheel so information from the two sides can be compared todetermine if there is actually a misalignment problem or whether theeffect is all due to wheel tracking. Because the measurements made onthe two wheels are independent, there is no need to perfectly align thelocations between the two wheels. However, for better consistency ofdata accumulation, it is preferred that the locations being measured onthe two wheels are at least relatively closely aligned. Wheel trackingproblems can also arise from differences in suspension or tire inflationbetween the two wheels. To further improve consistency of data andcompensate for tracking issues, distance data from both sides of thevehicle may be averaged, multiple passes of the vehicle past the fixedpoint may be done to increase the amount of data, and calibrationmethods may be employed to compensate for uneven driving surfaces.

Using two apparatuses A,B also permits a determination to be made of thewheelbase of the vehicle 10 on each side of the vehicle 10. This in turnpermits the control system 8 to determine if the two determinationsmatch each other. If the control system 8 determines that thedeterminations do not match it means that the wheelbase on one side ofthe vehicle 10 is not the same as the wheelbase on the other side of thevehicle 10, which can be an indication that the vehicle 10 incurredtrauma. If this is found by the control system 8, the control system 8can notify a user using the output device 8 c.

Data collected on the front wheels of a 2012 Dodge Caravan vehicle usingthe system described in FIG. 1 are shown in Table 1 and FIGS. 6A and 6B.During operation, the laser displacement sensors are operatedcontinuously, and as the vehicle drives past the lasers data iscollected at high frequency. In order to locate which data represent thepassage of the wheels rather than the chassis or fender, and then todetermine the appropriate data points from which the offset may becalculated, an algorithm was used to average data over 15 samplessurrounding each sample point and then to calculate the variance foreach sample. Inspection of the average for a local minimum associatedwith a low variance is an indication of the passage of a wheel. The datais shown on Table 1 for the front wheels. In Table 1, Local Mean is themean over 15 samples surrounding a sample point and Local Variance isthe variance of the sample point from the mean. The Measurement, theLocal Mean and the Local Variance for the appropriate data points foreach wheel that may be used for offset calculation are shown in boldunderline in the table. It is the value of the Measurement at each ofthese points that is used in the offset calculation.

The data were converted into histograms for easy visual inspection. FIG.6A is the histogram for the front left wheel and FIG. 6B for the frontright wheel. First, it is immediately evident from the histograms thatthe region between about Points 45 and 416 for the front left (see FIG.6A) represents the passage of the front left wheel and the regionbetween about Points 30 and 404 for the front right (see FIG. 6B)represents the passage of the front right wheel. The tire profile can bereadily seen in these histograms with a generalized minimum between twospikes in distance.

For the front left wheel, with reference to Table 1 and FIG. 6A, it canbe seen from the data and histogram that Point 118 forms a minimumdistance at the leading part of the wheel. This is most readily seen bylooking at the Local Variance surrounding this point. The LocalVariances at Points 114-120 around Point 118 are very small whencompared to other points in the histogram, with the Local Variance atPoint 118 being the smallest. Thus, Point 118 represents the point ofmaximum bulge on the sidewall of the leading part of the tire on thefront left wheel. The value of the Measurement at Point 118 is 360.15mm. This is the first location for the offset determination. A similaranalysis from Table 1 and FIG. 6A for the trailing part of the tirereveals that Point 358 is the point of maximum bulge on the sidewall ofthe trailing part of the tire on the front left wheel. The value of theMeasurement at Point 358 is 358.37 mm. Therefore, the offset for thefront left wheel is 360.15−358.37=1.78 mm, which represents a slightlytoe-in orientation for the wheel.

Similarly for the front right wheel, with reference to Table 1 and FIG.6B, it can be seen from the data and histogram that Point 104 forms aminimum distance of 379.65 mm at the leading part of the wheel, whilePoint 345 forms a minimum distance of 379.35 mm at the trailing part ofthe wheel. This represents an offset of 0.30 mm, which represents aslightly toe-in orientation of the wheel.

The small offsets for both the left and right front wheels are anindication that the wheels are properly aligned.

TABLE 1 Front Wheels 2012 Dodge Caravan Left Right Measurement LocalMean Local Variance Measurement Local Mean Local Variance Point (mm) (15points) (15 Points) (mm) (15 points) (15 Points) 1 1599.98 1599.98 21599.98 1599.98 3 1599.98 1599.98 4 1599.98 1599.98 5 1599.98 1599.98 61599.98 1599.98 7 1599.98 1599.98 8 1599.98 1599.98 9 1599.98 1599.981599.98 1599.98 10 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 11 1599.98 1599.981599.98 1599.98 12 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 13 1599.98 1599.981599.98 1599.98 14 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 15 1599.98 1599.981599.98 1599.98 16 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 1599.98 17 1599.98 1599.980.00 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 18 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.98 1599.98 0.0019 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 20 1599.98 1599.98 0.001599.98 1526.31 86837.77 21 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.98 1452.71161943.24 22 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.98 1379.80 224096.67 23 1599.981599.98 0.00 1599.98 1321.33 251319.34 24 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.981263.20 270829.86 25 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.98 1205.25 282935.89 261599.98 1599.98 0.00 1599.98 1147.68 287485.77 27 1599.98 1599.98 0.00421.25 1090.27 284817.39 28 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 422.37 1033.13274924.09 29 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 433.37 976.31 257871.05 30 1599.981599.98 0.00 664.60 919.60 233875.23 31 1599.98 1599.98 0.00 669.90863.18 202913.69 32 1599.98 1524.66 90763.61 672.65 807.01 165106.33 331599.98 1449.35 169414.87 678.85 751.00 120549.83 34 1599.98 1374.04235956.02 681.55 695.13 69303.64 35 1599.98 1298.70 290464.66 685.75639.55 11441.68 36 1599.98 1223.36 332852.40 690.82 657.84 8275.59 371599.98 1148.05 363090.12 692.62 676.27 4452.45 38 1599.98 1088.39362521.47 697.30 694.18 303.86 39 394.90 1029.01 354132.08 701.17 697.82286.24 40 394.98 969.99 337977.87 703.80 701.34 274.56 41 395.05 911.23314248.97 706.17 704.91 259.98 42 394.50 852.76 283034.14 710.70 708.16248.14 43 394.60 794.55 244458.87 713.82 711.39 232.08 44 395.02 736.61198615.25 717.30 714.58 220.11 45 645.40 678.91 145609.21 719.92 717.65215.49 46 649.87 621.49 85534.19 722.87 720.84 207.98 47 655.60 564.2018459.20 726.15 723.83 200.73 48 659.82 582.52 17212.90 729.77 726.55187.76 49 664.55 601.05 15293.38 730.80 729.39 178.71 50 668.57 619.7412668.73 733.35 732.26 168.50 51 673.02 638.62 9299.65 736.70 735.02163.19 52 676.80 657.79 5199.45 740.00 737.68 156.04 53 681.12 677.08339.57 743.67 740.18 147.64 54 683.40 680.83 311.20 745.10 742.69 139.8855 688.05 684.50 284.49 744.75 745.23 135.80 56 691.50 687.95 262.04749.15 727.96 5612.03 57 694.10 691.35 243.05 752.15 709.41 11047.94 58696.57 694.64 227.84 754.77 690.22 16063.92 59 701.25 697.73 209.08756.35 670.84 20288.40 60 703.65 700.76 196.08 757.42 650.71 23945.87 61705.42 703.71 184.39 760.05 630.05 26837.94 62 708.65 706.52 175.42763.55 608.93 28855.06 63 710.75 709.41 166.45 449.80 587.59 29945.02 64714.25 712.09 159.43 432.92 566.35 30040.92 65 717.10 714.71 153.86423.77 544.57 29135.19 66 718.12 717.26 145.80 423.32 522.59 27133.72 67721.45 719.79 136.56 414.55 500.38 24024.98 68 723.95 704.49 4486.36409.50 478.03 19811.52 69 726.12 687.30 9241.22 405.77 455.57 14497.1270 729.62 669.67 13533.61 403.55 432.76 8005.06 71 731.00 651.0517536.14 404.95 409.67 240.77 72 733.30 631.96 20935.83 400.77 406.20136.43 73 734.90 612.13 23742.39 400.35 403.56 97.49 74 737.05 591.9525739.77 399.42 401.45 77.77 75 456.47 571.46 26944.83 398.85 399.3650.23 76 428.72 550.81 27157.28 397.92 397.72 40.03 77 423.32 529.6126519.47 395.12 396.36 35.44 78 410.62 508.14 24893.24 394.22 395.1734.28 79 405.30 486.37 22190.52 394.25 394.08 33.80 80 397.10 464.4718434.35 390.67 392.78 30.57 81 394.20 442.38 13573.40 390.00 391.7130.77 82 390.17 420.13 7609.76 389.82 390.63 29.54 83 391.17 397.67496.17 388.37 389.57 27.64 84 384.67 392.63 270.07 387.75 388.52 24.3985 382.65 389.27 192.14 386.67 387.49 20.73 86 381.27 386.20 119.85386.10 386.64 18.44 87 380.67 383.78 87.50 384.25 385.80 16.20 88 379.85381.61 63.35 383.55 384.94 12.52 89 378.87 379.97 52.16 383.05 384.2811.41 90 377.60 378.43 43.22 382.45 383.63 10.21 91 375.95 377.00 40.23382.15 383.01 8.18 92 374.90 375.54 30.17 381.42 382.48 6.61 93 374.25374.30 30.73 381.55 381.99 4.95 94 371.90 373.18 30.80 380.70 381.573.59 95 370.50 372.14 30.08 380.50 381.16 2.32 96 370.87 371.09 28.63380.12 380.87 1.75 97 369.67 370.04 26.75 379.65 380.62 1.31 98 367.22369.03 24.03 379.90 380.41 0.93 99 367.85 368.07 21.26 379.90 380.230.66 100 364.75 367.19 18.85 379.90 380.07 0.42 101 364.77 366.33 16.49379.90 379.95 0.30 102 364.70 365.51 13.41 379.50 379.83 0.12 103 363.87364.80 11.76 379.60 379.76 0.07 104 362.95 364.18 10.36 379.65 379.740.04 105 362.72 363.53 7.86 379.64 379.79 0.14 106 362.20 362.96 5.64379.62 379.92 0.35 107 361.87 362.53 4.68 379.56 380.08 0.77 108 361.20362.05 2.90 379.50 380.30 1.44 109 361.10 361.76 2.56 379.70 380.56 2.30110 360.60 361.48 2.03 379.55 380.88 3.48 111 360.62 361.19 1.37 380.15381.30 5.02 112 360.45 360.97 0.90 381.00 381.77 6.91 113 360.42 360.810.63 381.65 382.29 8.92 114 360.35 360.65 0.39 382.52 382.89 11.29 115360.22 360.53 0.23 383.37 383.57 13.90 116 360.20 360.42 0.10 384.07384.33 16.66 117 360.20 360.36 0.06 385.00 385.16 19.10 118 360.15360.33 0.03 386.15 386.07 21.76 119 360.32 360.38 0.10 387.20 387.0924.15 120 360.32 360.47 0.29 388.02 387.76 21.41 121 360.20 360.63 0.66389.25 388.35 18.50 122 360.20 360.84 1.27 390.45 388.90 15.45 123360.22 361.10 2.08 391.75 389.41 12.68 124 360.12 361.44 3.32 392.75389.88 10.16 125 360.70 361.85 4.92 394.27 390.36 7.91 126 361.40 362.316.73 395.82 390.83 6.07 127 362.10 362.83 8.60 390.85 391.28 4.82 128362.92 363.40 10.73 390.52 391.71 4.01 129 363.77 364.04 13.16 390.35392.17 3.84 130 364.52 364.82 16.52 390.70 393.07 11.11 131 365.70365.67 19.61 390.87 394.29 28.00 132 366.75 366.61 22.75 391.82 396.5295.66 133 367.62 367.53 23.58 392.50 398.91 168.08 134 368.40 368.1320.63 393.37 401.07 221.30 135 369.42 368.70 17.64 394.00 403.09 263.48136 370.65 369.24 14.70 395.52 405.41 289.43 137 372.70 369.74 11.96403.60 408.02 315.15 138 373.72 370.17 9.44 409.92 411.10 351.19 139375.20 370.56 7.17 427.47 414.26 373.39 140 374.85 370.84 5.52 431.05417.64 387.51 141 370.40 371.06 4.37 428.82 420.41 357.65 142 370.50371.22 3.60 428.00 422.78 306.41 143 370.77 371.32 3.16 428.10 424.89245.25 144 370.92 371.36 3.04 432.17 426.82 177.67 145 370.65 371.263.32 439.72 428.73 108.53 146 370.70 371.07 3.33 441.25 429.98 66.41 147370.20 370.79 2.98 444.95 430.70 43.92 148 370.23 370.41 1.72 436.12430.18 51.90 149 370.25 370.10 0.32 430.42 429.35 61.26 150 370.00370.13 0.35 427.10 428.61 70.91 151 369.95 370.15 0.37 424.87 427.8980.32 152 369.15 370.15 0.38 426.05 427.15 88.58 153 369.62 370.10 0.34423.73 426.14 94.24 154 369.32 370.15 0.46 421.42 424.63 86.97 155369.12 370.14 0.44 419.10 423.02 71.29 156 369.90 370.07 0.51 417.85421.16 39.65 157 370.80 369.99 0.58 416.95 419.82 25.52 158 370.77369.91 0.64 416.37 418.84 18.78 159 370.90 369.84 0.70 416.37 417.9815.42 160 370.00 369.81 0.70 415.90 417.11 14.75 161 371.55 369.84 0.67415.55 415.55 23.88 162 370.42 369.84 0.67 415.55 414.03 34.41 163369.10 369.89 0.66 415.15 412.60 44.72 164 368.95 369.94 0.61 414.80411.22 55.90 165 368.95 369.97 0.62 414.65 409.85 66.70 166 368.95369.94 0.59 413.40 408.47 76.21 167 369.52 369.92 0.55 410.95 407.0983.49 168 369.65 369.88 0.50 401.12 405.67 87.51 169 369.62 369.92 0.53399.37 404.24 89.06 170 370.05 369.97 0.48 398.47 400.50 71.93 171369.95 370.13 0.50 397.10 399.01 59.56 172 370.30 370.28 0.46 395.85397.53 42.77 173 370.40 370.43 0.37 394.90 396.17 24.25 174 370.40370.57 0.40 394.25 394.97 7.84 175 370.30 370.73 0.46 393.72 394.42 5.13176 370.60 370.91 0.53 393.00 393.99 3.35 177 370.70 371.07 0.60 393.47393.64 1.84 178 371.25 371.22 0.60 392.40 393.37 0.92 179 371.25 371.350.60 392.45 393.19 0.45 180 371.25 371.50 0.63 392.50 393.08 0.23 181371.17 371.66 0.61 393.02 392.98 0.13 182 371.65 371.81 0.53 393.00392.96 0.11 183 372.00 371.96 0.48 392.85 392.97 0.11 184 372.40 372.110.40 392.90 392.95 0.09 185 372.36 372.24 0.41 393.17 393.00 0.07 186372.32 372.37 0.39 393.14 393.05 0.05 187 372.25 372.48 0.31 393.14393.08 0.03 188 372.67 372.60 0.19 393.15 393.11 0.05 189 372.66 372.690.13 392.77 393.13 0.04 190 372.65 372.77 0.10 393.45 393.14 0.04 191372.85 372.83 0.11 393.12 393.14 0.04 192 372.90 372.90 0.12 393.22393.43 1.29 193 373.17 373.00 0.13 393.15 394.02 6.22 194 373.20 373.060.09 393.15 394.86 15.26 195 372.92 373.11 0.10 392.90 395.89 27.30 196373.02 373.19 0.10 393.57 397.10 41.27 197 373.02 373.26 0.10 393.20398.43 57.44 198 373.14 373.33 0.11 393.06 399.97 75.47 199 373.25373.37 0.10 392.92 401.62 92.43 200 373.52 373.47 0.21 397.47 403.20100.99 201 373.72 374.54 16.70 402.05 404.75 103.65 202 373.15 376.7682.85 405.77 406.29 100.13 203 373.55 379.17 151.11 408.55 407.75 92.34204 373.72 381.63 209.37 410.97 409.23 79.06 205 373.79 384.13 257.73413.42 410.69 60.42 206 373.85 386.54 288.65 416.22 412.14 36.78 207373.50 388.64 295.96 417.97 413.22 20.32 208 374.70 390.68 293.27 416.75414.02 10.77 209 389.22 392.85 282.48 416.40 414.71 5.72 210 406.20395.35 272.71 416.00 414.62 7.03 211 409.27 397.74 247.61 415.50 414.726.40 212 409.90 400.11 210.19 415.40 414.63 6.82 213 410.67 402.32159.14 414.92 414.33 7.13 214 409.40 403.93 98.67 414.77 413.91 6.48 215404.92 405.32 40.63 413.57 413.55 6.23 216 404.37 405.70 29.62 414.10413.19 6.01 217 405.75 404.90 38.33 416.17 412.86 5.63 218 411.00 403.9043.89 407.20 412.54 5.37 219 409.57 402.82 47.51 412.47 412.23 4.90 220409.32 401.66 48.28 411.95 411.94 4.52 221 407.07 400.57 47.94 411.75411.64 4.04 222 397.55 399.78 49.96 411.75 411.37 4.00 223 395.52 399.0151.34 411.35 411.07 3.61 224 394.97 398.08 50.86 410.92 410.73 1.62 225394.22 396.71 41.04 411.12 410.97 0.67 226 394.32 395.49 29.73 410.65410.89 0.51 227 393.70 394.26 16.00 410.80 410.85 0.44 228 393.20 393.173.91 410.47 410.83 0.41 229 393.13 392.70 2.82 410.30 410.81 0.38 230393.05 392.35 2.55 409.57 410.83 0.40 231 392.75 392.05 2.23 409.55410.87 0.44 232 391.82 391.79 2.02 411.05 411.11 1.39 233 390.50 391.521.64 410.90 411.29 1.74 234 391.30 391.28 1.38 411.25 411.46 1.98 235390.85 391.08 1.16 411.33 411.70 2.33 236 390.70 390.92 0.85 411.40411.98 2.65 237 390.50 390.76 0.50 411.52 412.33 2.68 238 390.25 390.600.20 411.56 412.73 2.75 239 390.40 390.53 0.09 411.60 413.20 4.35 240390.35 390.53 0.09 414.65 413.91 8.37 241 390.32 390.52 0.08 413.47414.83 15.71 242 390.15 390.53 0.09 413.30 415.66 19.90 243 390.15390.62 0.22 414.05 416.44 21.86 244 390.67 390.76 0.51 414.45 416.0029.40 245 390.62 391.02 1.18 414.82 415.49 38.17 246 390.40 391.20 1.43415.67 414.96 46.63 247 390.80 391.41 1.72 418.07 414.23 55.19 248390.50 391.63 1.96 421.52 413.56 62.97 249 391.15 391.90 2.17 424.97412.92 69.41 250 391.05 392.19 2.37 423.85 412.27 74.23 251 391.95392.50 2.81 423.05 411.63 77.39 252 392.70 392.85 3.22 404.92 411.0778.32 253 394.02 393.22 3.33 403.90 411.61 88.02 254 393.10 393.62 3.63403.75 412.04 96.89 255 393.52 394.15 4.27 403.65 413.66 169.29 256393.72 394.37 3.59 403.45 415.03 230.55 257 394.12 394.48 2.98 403.75413.63 233.55 258 394.57 394.35 3.96 404.25 411.59 254.74 259 395.35393.97 7.47 404.85 410.77 276.47 260 395.85 393.25 15.12 406.35 409.98297.47 261 395.95 392.33 28.12 423.77 409.20 316.99 262 396.75 391.1147.38 424.60 408.43 335.12 263 398.40 389.70 69.44 445.85 407.67 351.85264 394.50 388.26 86.71 445.50 406.90 367.50 265 392.72 386.79 99.36402.82 406.08 382.01 266 389.97 385.29 105.59 392.47 405.23 395.19 267387.00 383.75 106.39 392.65 404.28 406.44 268 383.25 382.19 101.93392.05 402.12 386.17 269 379.30 380.56 90.94 392.06 399.94 352.54 270375.20 378.82 69.93 392.07 396.32 192.89 271 372.52 377.34 53.08 392.07392.71 7.95 272 372.60 375.97 36.02 392.07 392.01 0.13 273 372.47 374.7921.51 392.06 391.99 0.12 274 372.85 373.84 10.20 392.05 391.98 0.11 275372.70 373.13 3.44 392.10 392.06 0.19 276 372.67 372.87 1.02 391.40392.13 0.28 277 372.30 372.45 1.51 391.82 392.23 0.42 278 372.22 372.301.86 391.62 392.36 0.64 279 372.26 372.23 1.88 391.30 392.52 0.89 280372.26 372.13 1.98 392.40 392.68 1.13 281 372.25 372.01 2.01 392.20392.86 1.38 282 372.70 371.88 2.08 392.50 393.06 1.66 283 372.62 371.772.08 393.12 393.31 1.70 284 375.40 371.69 2.08 393.17 393.57 1.89 285369.00 371.58 2.14 393.60 393.89 2.07 286 370.17 371.45 2.19 394.05394.23 1.91 287 371.60 371.32 2.22 394.37 394.52 2.05 288 370.95 371.192.21 394.52 394.84 2.00 289 371.10 371.03 2.08 394.77 395.15 1.87 290370.70 370.87 1.92 395.10 395.44 1.86 291 371.00 370.49 0.41 395.15395.73 1.71 292 371.10 370.54 0.29 395.75 396.00 1.57 293 370.55 370.510.32 396.37 396.24 1.43 294 370.42 370.36 0.31 396.37 396.46 1.28 295370.30 370.26 0.34 396.80 396.66 1.04 296 370.30 370.10 0.43 397.02396.84 0.81 297 370.28 369.96 0.54 397.10 396.98 0.58 298 370.25 369.800.58 397.45 397.10 0.32 299 369.65 369.65 0.50 397.50 397.14 0.23 300369.70 369.60 0.45 397.65 397.13 0.25 301 369.80 369.55 0.40 397.65397.06 0.43 302 369.32 369.62 0.58 397.65 396.91 0.84 303 369.45 369.861.82 397.50 396.69 1.55 304 368.70 370.17 3.54 397.52 396.43 2.32 305368.63 370.55 5.74 397.17 396.12 3.07 306 368.55 371.16 10.06 396.95395.75 4.07 307 368.80 371.98 17.66 396.40 395.29 5.29 308 369.87 373.0229.06 396.20 394.71 7.48 309 369.70 374.33 44.36 395.35 394.06 9.72 310371.32 375.85 62.93 394.57 393.55 9.83 311 373.95 377.69 85.73 393.65393.04 9.43 312 374.94 379.59 102.91 393.24 392.57 8.59 313 375.92381.37 108.24 392.82 392.12 7.37 314 378.72 382.94 103.10 391.87 391.726.10 315 382.05 384.29 92.54 390.87 391.36 4.59 316 385.42 385.45 76.48388.87 391.06 3.38 317 388.95 386.34 61.41 387.90 390.79 2.44 318 392.17386.93 50.95 389.90 390.57 1.82 319 396.37 387.34 43.01 389.80 390.743.31 320 397.10 387.50 39.51 390.10 390.83 3.79 321 395.20 387.32 43.30390.30 390.85 3.86 322 392.47 386.80 53.19 390.42 390.85 3.86 323 390.02385.96 66.30 390.75 390.89 3.72 324 387.17 384.83 78.17 390.87 390.893.69 325 384.67 383.41 86.12 390.50 390.68 4.81 326 382.82 381.66 83.40390.30 390.38 6.73 327 381.00 379.82 73.23 395.90 389.99 9.24 328 378.30378.10 61.06 394.07 389.52 12.25 329 376.07 376.53 49.63 392.27 388.9715.68 330 374.27 375.19 37.83 390.80 388.34 19.37 331 372.80 374.3426.85 389.45 387.64 22.83 332 372.02 373.53 18.77 387.97 386.90 26.46333 370.85 372.70 12.54 386.72 386.19 28.93 334 370.15 371.93 7.76385.30 385.10 24.11 335 369.55 371.26 5.34 384.25 384.13 19.58 336369.30 370.60 5.09 383.25 383.28 15.58 337 368.97 369.99 5.87 382.22382.51 12.01 338 369.92 369.44 7.16 381.17 381.84 8.78 339 374.42 368.868.96 380.45 381.26 6.24 340 372.47 368.29 11.42 379.45 380.76 4.12 341370.47 367.70 14.27 379.57 380.37 2.62 342 369.42 367.07 17.68 379.50380.06 1.48 343 368.27 366.42 20.91 379.51 379.81 0.70 344 366.15 365.7224.46 379.52 379.66 0.27 345 365.12 364.95 26.40 379.35 379.60 0.12 346364.47 363.88 21.96 379.42 379.61 0.14 347 363.37 362.93 17.97 379.15379.73 0.32 348 362.27 362.12 14.73 379.30 379.89 0.64 349 361.32 361.3811.33 379.40 380.07 0.98 350 360.15 360.72 8.13 379.60 380.32 1.62 351359.55 360.20 6.13 379.55 380.61 2.42 352 358.45 359.75 4.43 379.95380.99 3.59 353 358.40 359.35 2.79 380.25 381.45 5.20 354 358.25 359.031.57 380.60 382.02 7.26 355 358.28 358.78 0.77 381.25 382.66 9.67 356358.30 358.60 0.28 381.95 383.34 11.76 357 358.40 358.54 0.13 382.20384.03 13.42 358 358.37 358.50 0.07 383.25 384.98 17.92 359 358.36358.58 0.15 383.95 385.91 20.86 360 358.35 358.73 0.45 385.10 386.9724.72 361 358.45 358.88 0.63 386.30 388.03 27.11 362 358.55 359.12 1.16387.70 389.14 29.47 363 358.58 359.42 2.02 388.90 390.37 33.32 364358.60 359.76 3.04 389.50 391.65 35.34 365 359.20 360.15 4.12 390.00392.94 37.23 366 358.95 360.59 5.29 393.87 394.35 39.73 367 359.60361.18 7.79 393.90 395.95 46.52 368 360.72 361.84 10.42 396.05 397.8159.89 369 360.50 362.54 12.85 396.50 399.93 81.30 370 361.82 363.4417.32 397.90 402.58 124.22 371 362.87 364.37 20.61 400.47 406.20 219.06372 363.55 365.36 24.31 401.30 410.49 346.37 373 364.15 366.44 26.98402.70 437.21 10106.87 374 364.90 367.55 29.20 405.00 463.76 18218.73375 367.32 368.75 33.32 409.15 489.94 24701.75 376 368.30 369.98 34.30414.17 515.95 29640.19 377 369.07 371.29 37.13 419.47 541.85 33150.41378 372.05 372.77 43.20 428.70 567.49 35241.41 379 372.52 375.11 79.45443.75 592.92 35885.63 380 374.02 377.47 107.23 454.37 617.93 35075.40381 375.15 379.82 126.78 794.72 642.61 32949.33 382 376.25 382.72 175.27792.20 666.88 29644.13 383 378.77 386.56 277.82 788.77 690.68 25252.83384 378.97 401.48 3057.55 786.62 713.93 19848.29 385 381.47 427.3311451.81 786.40 736.29 13681.64 386 385.02 453.09 18383.57 785.00 757.447133.20 387 398.75 478.60 23818.51 782.75 777.68 133.51 388 399.45503.84 27780.10 777.92 775.07 140.30 389 400.15 528.82 30310.50 775.12772.38 150.25 390 410.82 553.41 31473.51 773.25 769.59 168.92 391 425.90577.87 31306.11 771.20 766.70 188.80 392 592.86 601.97 29875.20 768.12763.66 199.18 392 759.82 625.64 27275.29 764.15 760.38 210.37 394 759.00648.23 23946.50 761.05 756.90 225.40 395 756.57 670.50 19513.99 757.92753.46 247.62 396 753.77 692.67 14043.16 755.60 749.84 276.18 397 750.95713.81 7979.00 751.80 745.90 311.86 398 747.60 733.78 1640.50 746.95732.47 2287.94 399 745.92 742.35 154.53 743.25 709.07 8710.35 400 742.95739.51 169.16 740.77 685.91 14022.79 401 740.07 736.54 177.35 735.85662.95 18234.57 402 737.57 733.37 191.65 730.50 640.20 21370.56 403733.52 730.18 205.04 726.40 617.60 23442.45 404 732.70 726.88 221.51720.82 595.26 24505.47 405 727.95 723.40 248.66 714.05 573.20 24632.74406 725.47 719.70 275.75 569.80 551.39 23820.49 407 721.32 715.83 307.33417.20 529.72 22069.86 408 717.22 711.77 343.55 416.75 508.38 19475.53409 714.47 707.36 391.72 416.62 487.39 16092.93 410 709.12 702.69 456.88416.60 466.68 11919.92 411 705.87 679.85 6814.29 416.63 446.35 7048.48412 701.45 657.30 12118.59 416.65 426.48 1572.26 413 695.40 634.8716385.59 416.12 416.22 0.23 414 690.35 612.74 19632.73 416.10 416.130.16 415 684.95 590.89 21901.99 415.75 416.06 0.14 416 679.20 569.2323202.66 415.70 416.00 0.13 417 671.37 547.88 23640.10 415.71 415.950.10 418 663.50 526.74 23185.94 415.72 415.91 0.07 419 390.07 505.9021900.34 415.80 415.88 0.03 420 389.67 485.46 19867.04 416.02 415.860.02 421 389.10 465.36 17102.19 416.00 415.87 0.03 422 389.35 445.6013660.88 415.77 415.90 0.03 423 389.48 426.18 9596.35 415.74 415.92 0.03424 389.60 407.31 5023.09 415.70 415.95 0.03 425 388.87 388.97 0.33415.87 415.95 0.03 426 388.81 388.87 0.25 416.05 415.96 0.03 427 388.75388.78 0.21 416.12 415.96 0.03 428 388.80 388.73 0.21 415.92 415.92 0.04429 388.85 388.67 0.19 416.25 415.88 0.08 430 388.55 388.60 0.14 416.12415.83 0.14 431 387.97 388.55 0.07 416.05 415.80 0.16 432 388.35 388.570.10 416.05 415.76 0.18 433 388.30 388.61 0.14 415.82 415.70 0.19 434388.57 388.65 0.18 415.85 415.62 0.21 435 388.37 388.69 0.21 416.05415.56 0.23 436 388.37 388.72 0.24 415.47 415.48 0.21 437 388.42 388.780.27 415.15 415.40 0.19 438 388.40 388.87 0.23 414.97 415.33 0.17 439388.80 415.25 440 389.30 415.24 441 389.36 415.22 442 389.37 414.95 443389.37 415.00 444 389.37 415.00 445 389.37 415.00 446 389.37 415.00

One test that can be undertaken after carrying out a test to determinethe value for the tire wearing angle for the wheels of the vehicle 10 isa test to determine if any play is present in the suspension system ofthe vehicle 10. The ability to assess other wheel conditions besidesalignment is advantageous. Play in wheel suspension can cause a wheel tobe angled in or out depending on whether the vehicle is moving forwardor backward. To determine if there is play in the wheel suspension, thevehicle 10 is driven forward and the two distance measurements made.Then the vehicle is driven backward and the two distance measurementsare made. Alternatively, the vehicle may be driven backwards first andthen forwards. When moving backward, the first and second locations onthe wheel are the same as the second and first locations when thevehicle is moving forward. If there is no play in the suspension, thesign of the offset between forward and backward motion of the vehicleshould change (i.e. from positive to negative or from negative topositive). For example, in one of the examples above, a value of 379.65mm was found at the leading part of the wheel, and a value of 379.35 mmwas found at the trailing part of the wheel when the vehicle was drivenforward, for an offset of 0.30 mm. When driven backwards, if the wheelsremain oriented exactly the same way a leading part value of 379.35 mmand a trailing part value of 379.65 mm will be obtained, providing anoffset of −0.30 mm. If, however, there was play in the suspension, andthe wheel shifted as a result of friction when being driven backwards,the values may be 379.35 (leading) and 379.65 (trailing) due to theshift in the orientation of the wheel, resulting in an offset of 0.30 mmagain. Thus, if a change in the sign of the offset direction is not seen(i.e. if the sign of the offset remains the same), then there may be asuspension problem in one or both wheels being measured. Since, asdiscussed previously, wheel tracking problems may be caused bysuspension play and the offset is also dependent on wheel tracking, suchsuspension information can be collected even when the wheels themselvesare aligned properly. However, a more thorough inspection would beneeded to determine whether the issue is a suspension issue or someother issue (e.g. relating, for example, to tire inflation).

With reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments two displacement sensorsmay be provided on each apparatus A,B (apparatus A is shown in FIG. 8),wherein the two displacement sensors 3 a and 3 b are vertically alignedbut spaced apart along the same vertical axis (shown at Av). Forexample, one at, for example, about one-third of the height of the wheeland another at, for example, about two-thirds of the height of thewheel, which permits the computer to measure wheel camber. Moregenerally, providing two displacement sensors that are verticallyaligned but spaced apart along the same vertical axis, and in particulartwo sensors that are positioned at symmetrical vertical distances aboveand below the center of the wheel 21, permits a determination of thecamber of the wheel 21 using the offset between the two differentdistance measurements.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict two suspension testing plates 38 a,38 b to assistin testing for play in the suspension components holding the vehiclewheels. The following description of the testing plates is withreference to FIG. 5A, but the one depicted in FIG. 5B has correspondingfeatures discussed in relation to FIG. 5A. The suspension testing platesmay include working surface 39 that have undulations 41 thereon. Theundulations 41 include at least a first undulation 41 a that slantsdownward laterally towards one side of the plate 38 a and a secondundulation 41 b that slants downward laterally towards the other side ofthe plate 38 a. By providing successive first and second undulationsthat slant towards opposite sides, any play in the wheel of the vehiclewould cause the vehicle wheel to turn in when traveling over one of theundulations 41, and to turn out when travelling over the other of theundulations 41. By measuring the alignment of the wheel as it travelsover both undulations 41 a and 41 b, it can be determined whether thealignment of the wheel changes from one undulation to the other, whichwould be indicative of play in the suspension elements holding thewheel.

As a vehicle 10 travels the weight of the vehicle 10 bears upon thesuspension elements and through them, the wheels. Over time, even ifthere is play in the suspension elements, the weight of the vehicle maycause the joints where the play exists to seize to some degree. As aresult, the play that exists in the suspension system is hidden in somesituations even though it exists. To eliminate any effect from seizureof any joints, the plate 38 a may further include bumps 40, which areprovided so as to induce small, sharp movements in the wheel as thewheel travels over them. Such bumps 40 may be spaced relatively farapart such that each bump is individually configured to loosen anyseized joints. Alternatively, the bumps may be spaced relatively closetogether so as to induce a vibration in the wheel as the wheel passesover them in an effort to loosen any seized suspension joints.

In the embodiment shown, the bumps 40 may be formed along the matingedges of successive generally triangular surfaces 42 that extend out ofplane from one another by a selected angle.

If there were no suspension play at the vehicle wheel, the wheel wouldremain upright as it passes over the undulations 41 and so there wouldbe no change in the distances measured to the points on the wheel. Inother words, its degree of alignment would remain constant as it passedover the undulations 41. If however, there is play in the suspension,then the orientation of the wheel will change as the wheel passes overthe undulations 41 and is subject to the changing forces from successiveundulations that urge the wheel in different directions. As a result,measurements of the wheel's alignment would change from one undulationto the next.

The novel features of the present invention will become apparent tothose of skill in the art upon examination of the detailed descriptionof the invention. It should be understood, however, that the scope ofthe claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forthin the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretationconsistent with the specification as a whole.

1. A method of assessing a condition of a wheel on a vehicle,comprising: a) contactlessly determining a distance to a first locationon the wheel from a fixed point along a fixed axis at a first time asthe wheel moves past the fixed axis; b) contactlessly determining adistance to a second location on the wheel from the fixed point alongthe fixed axis at a second time as the wheel moves past the fixed axis;c) determining an indication of a tire-wearing angle for the wheel basedon the distance to the first location and the distance to the secondlocation; and d) outputting the indication of the tire wearing angle forthe wheel.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond locations are on a side of the wheel and are both physicallywithin about a 90 degree swept angle on the wheel from each other. 3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second locationsare on a side of the wheel and are both physically substantially thesame location.
 4. The method according to a claim 1, wherein the wheelis turning on an axle and the first and second locations are forward andrearward of the axle when the respective distance determinations aremade.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and secondlocations are on a sidewall of a tire that is part of the wheel.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the first and second locations areproximal to a point of maximum bulge on the sidewall. 7-8. (canceled) 9.The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is movingsubstantially perpendicular to the fixed axis.
 10. The method accordingto claim 28, further comprising making independent distancedeterminations on a corresponding wheel on an opposite side of thevehicle and correlating the offsets from both wheels to correct for thevehicle not tracking perpendicular to the fixed path.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 28, further comprising moving the vehicle forward andbackward past the fixed point, determining offsets for the wheel whenmoving forward and when moving backward, and determining whether theoffsets change sign, and indicating that a suspension problem may existbased at least in part on whether the offsets change sign. 12-16.(canceled)
 17. A system for assessing a condition of a wheel on avehicle, the system comprising: an apparatus including a stationarysensor configured to contactlessly determine a distance along a fixedaxis; and, a control system programmed to: a) instruct the apparatus ata first time to measure a distance along the fixed axis to a firstlocation on the wheel as the wheel moves past the fixed axis; b)instruct the apparatus at a second time to measure a distance along thefixed axis to a second location on the wheel as the wheel continues tomove past the fixed axis; c) receive the output signals from theapparatus in relation to the distances measured in steps a) and b) anddetermine a tire-wearing angle for the wheel based on the distances; andd) output data indicative of the tire-wearing angle determined in Stepd).
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the two locations arefirst and second locations forward and rearward of an axle on which thewheel is rotating while the vehicle is moving.
 19. The system accordingto claim 17, wherein the locations are on a sidewall of a tire on thewheel.
 20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the apparatuscomprises an optical laser displacement sensor for determining distancesto the two locations.
 21. The system according to claim 17, wherein thedata outputted by the control system includes an offset based on adifference between the distances to the two locations.
 22. The systemaccording to claim 21, further comprising a suspension testing surfacecomprising at least first and second undulations which slant downwardslaterally towards opposing sides from each other, wherein the controlsystem is programmed to determine a first offset for the wheel at apoint on the first undulation and a second offset for the wheel at apoint on the second undulation, and to output data related to the firstand second offsets.
 23. The system according to claim 17, furthercomprising a second apparatus for generating output signals indicativeof distances to two locations on a corresponding second wheel on anotherside of the vehicle at two different times while the vehicle is movingon the surface, the second apparatus not moving during operation,wherein the control system is configured to receive the output signalsfrom the apparatus and to output data based on the distances to the twolocations on the corresponding second wheel.
 24. (canceled)
 25. A methodof assessing a condition of a first front wheel, a second front wheel, afirst subsequent wheel aft of the front wheel and a second subsequentwheel aft of the front wheel on a vehicle, comprising: a) contactlesslydetermining a distance to a center of the first front wheel anddistances related to an angle of the first front wheel from a firstfixed point as the first front wheel moves past the first fixed point;b) contactlessly determining a distance to a center of the second frontwheel and distances related to an angle of the second front wheel from asecond fixed point as the second front wheel moves past the second fixedpoint; c) contactlessly determining a distance to a center of the firstsubsequent wheel and distances related to an angle of the firstsubsequent wheel from the first fixed point as the first subsequentwheel moves past the first fixed point; d) contactlessly determining adistance to a center of the second subsequent wheel and distancesrelated to an angle of the second subsequent wheel from the second fixedpoint as the second subsequent wheel moves past the second fixed point;e) deriving adjusted tire wearing angles for each of the first andsecond front wheels and each of the first and second subsequent wheelsbased on the distances related to the angles determined in steps a)-d)and based on the distances to the centers of the wheels determined insteps a)-d); and f) outputting an indication of the adjusted tirewearing angles for the first and second front wheels and the first andsecond subsequent wheels.
 26. A system for assessing a condition of afirst front wheel, a second front wheel, a first subsequent wheel and asecond subsequent wheel on a vehicle, comprising: a first apparatusincluding a first stationary sensor configured to contactlesslydetermine a distance on a first side of the vehicle; a second apparatusincluding a second stationary sensor configured to contactlesslydetermine a distance on a second side of the vehicle; and, a controlsystem programmed to: a) instruct the first apparatus to contactlesslydetermine a distance from the first stationary sensor to a center of thefirst front wheel and distances related to an angle of the first frontwheel as the first front wheel moves past the first stationary sensor;b) instruct the first apparatus to contactlessly determine a distancefrom the second stationary sensor to a center of the second front wheeland distances related to an angle of the second front wheel as thesecond front wheel moves past the second stationary sensor; c) instructthe first apparatus to contactlessly determine a distance from the firststationary sensor to a center of the first subsequent wheel and andistances related to angle of the first subsequent wheel as the firstsubsequent wheel moves past the first stationary sensor; d) instruct thefirst apparatus to contactlessly determine a distance from the secondstationary sensor to a center of the second subsequent wheel anddistances related to an angle of the second subsequent wheel as thesecond subsequent wheel moves past the second stationary sensor; e)derive adjusted tire wearing angles for each of the first and secondfront wheels and each of the first and second subsequent wheels based onthe distances related to the angles determined in steps a)-d) and basedon the distances to the centers of the wheels determined in steps a)-d);and f) output an indication of the adjusted tire wearing angles for thefirst and second front wheels and the first and second subsequentwheels.
 27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the control systemis programmed in step e) to determine a direction of travel for thevehicle using the distances to the centers of said wheels, and to derivethe adjusted tire wearing angle for said each wheel based on thedetermined direction of travel for said each wheel.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein step c) includes comparing the distance tothe first location to the distance to the second location to determinean offset between the first and second locations on the wheel.